Researchers Identify Predictors of Radiographic Progression at Entheses in PsA

Age, disease duration, and ultrasonography (US)-verified enthesophytes at baseline are predictors of radiographic progression at entheses in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to findings of a prospective study.

The researchers evaluated data of 83 consecutive patients with PsA who had undergone clinical and US assessments at 14 entheses at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Radiography was performed at baseline and 12 months.

Structural and inflammatory changes and power Doppler signal via US were assessed. Radiographs were also evaluated for enthesophytes and erosions.

Multivariate regression models were used to identify associations of clinical and US findings with radiographic progression.

Among the patients, 43 (51.8%) had complete clinical, US, and radiographic data. Of these patients, 24 (55.8%) had developed radiographic progression of entheses. Patients who experienced progression were younger (49.6 years vs 59.3 years), had shorter disease duration (9.7 years vs 17.9 years), and lower clinical disease activity at 6 months compared with patients without progression.

No other US parameter predicted radiographic progression at entheses.

Patients who had not progressed had higher US enthesophyte scores at baseline than patients who had progressed.

—Melinda Stevens

Reference:

Lackner A, Heber D, Bosch P, et al. Ultrasound verified enthesophytes are associated with radiographic progression at entheses in psoriatic arthritis [published online February 24, 2020]. Rheumatology (Oxford). doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaa028